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The conman acquired 87 items at the event held in the summer – primarily gold and porcelain.

He paid for them using business cheques, all of which bounced, offering some dealers a passport as identification.

One dealer who was suspicious informed the police and the suspect was tracked down to a bed and breakfast in Tuxford. The man, who is in his 40s and lives in Yorkshire, was later arrested after questioning. Dealers who were targeted by him are asked to come to the Overseas Lounges at the Newark fair on Friday, December 8, and present the bogus cheques they were given if they still have them.

The items will be held behind screens, while dealers describe them, and once the police are happy that it is their property they will release them.